Saturday, July 2, 2011

VENOMOUS SNAKES CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

VENOMOUS SNAKES CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

1st Announcement.

Dear herp enthusiast/researcher,

Goa has a vast diversity of snakes of which a few are venomous and one needs to be aware of the same. They are an integral part of our urban as well as rural landscapes and a vital component of any healthy ecosystem.It is the need of the hour to create awareness in urban as well as rural Goa about identification and importance of these species in our environment.

Of course, there is no one specific simple single rule for identifying a venomous snake, as many non- venomous ones have evolved to look like their venomous brethren. However, some of the more medically important ones (yes that’s what they are termed as) can be recognized by their shape, size, color, behavior and sound they make when they are threatened in the field.

Our endeavor will be to document and map these venomous snakes in our environs and in the forests of Goa and compile a simple data sheet for identification of these species in the local language for the public.

We will also address issues of conflict that arise due to disturbance in habitat or loss of prey, both of which sadly are factors that are created by humans.

Join us to conduct opportunistic field surveys, night trails and transect searches in Goa’s wilderness while we attempt to achieve the above objectives.

We will interact with filed staff of the Forest department and snake rescuers, do fieldwork in remote locale and combine field science with local knowledge to help understand these highly ignored group of biodiversity.

This is an opportunity for those who seek to get training about the importance of venomous snakes and their ecology or an occasion to experience first hand the techniques of field data collection at the height of the South West Monsoons.

For photographers and wildlife trekkers, this is a chance to take their skills to the next level as photo documentation will be a key factor here and the opportunities will be endless!

Essentials

Essentials include keen interest to study herpetofauna and ability to work in a team in a given time frame. We will have to brave the South West monsoons and also spend a considerable amount of time in the field.

Dates:- 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd of Aug 2011 (3 nights and 4 days).

Number of seats: - 8 seats.

Fees: - include food, accommodation and transport (Panjim to Panjim) during the program.

About Me

I am a wildlife ecologist working in the Western Ghats of the states of Goa,Karnataka and Maharashtra on lesser known fauna in general and herpetofauna in particular. My aim is also to photo document the lesser known fauna the Mahdei Bio region and create awareness amongst the masses of the same.